ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Minimum Pension Under EPS, 1995
The Government had, for the first time, provided a minimum pension of Rs.1000/- per month to the pensioners under Employees’ Pension Scheme , 1995 from 01.09.2014 by providing additional budgetary support. In addition, Government provides budgetary support of 1.16% of wages of the member to Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation .
Representations have been received for enhancement of minimum pension under EPS, 1995. The EPS, 1995 is a ‘Defined Contribution-Defined Benefit’ Social Security Scheme. The corpus of the Employees’ Pension Fund is made up of  contribution by the employer @ 8.33 per cent of wages; and  contribution from Central Government through budgetary support @ 1.16 per cent of wages, up to an amount of Rs.15,000/- per month. All benefits under the scheme are paid out of such accumulations. The fund is valued annually as mandated under paragraph 32 of the EPS, 1995 and as per the valuation of the fund as on 31.03.2019, there is an actuarial deficit.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Increase in Minimum Support Prices for Rabi Crops
Government has increased Minimum Support Prices  of 6 mandated Rabi crops for Rabi Marketing Season  2023-24, on the basis of recommendation of Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices , after considering the views of State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments concerned. The MSP for wheat now stands at 2125 ₹ per quintal; Barley 1735 ₹ per quintal; Gram 5335 ₹ per quintal; Masur 6000 ₹ per quintal; Rapeseed & Mustard 5450 ₹ per quintal and Safflower 5650 ₹ per quintal.Details of increase in MSP of 6 mandated rabi crops for the last three years and current year is as follow;
Annexure
Minimum Support Price  of mandated Agricultural Crops

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Minimum Support Prices 
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Absolute Increase over previous year
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Sl. No.
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Commodity
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2019-20
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2020-21
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2021-22
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2022-23
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2020-21
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2021-22
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2022-23
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1
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WHEAT
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1925
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1975
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2015
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2125
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50
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40
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110
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2
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BARLEY
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1525
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1600
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1635
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1735
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75
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35
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100
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3
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GRAM
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4875
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5100
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5230
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5335
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225
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130
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105
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4
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MASUR 
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4800
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5100
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5500
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6000
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300
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400
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500
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5
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RAPESEED & MUSTARD
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4425
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4650
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5050
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5450
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225
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400
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400
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6
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SAFFLOWER
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5215
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5327
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5441
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5650
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112
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114
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209
The country has witnessed emphatic growth in export of agri and allied commodities. As compared to the year 2015-16, the Agri and allied export has increased from 32.81 billion USD in 2015-16 to 50.24 billion USD in 2021-22 i.e. an increase of 53.1%.
The efforts of Government at positive implementation of these schemes have yielded remarkable results towards augmenting the income of the farmers. As part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, Indian Council of Agricultural Research  has released a book, which contains compilation of success stories of 75,000 farmers out of innumerable successful farmers who have increased their income more than two times.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
CBC to organise Mission LiFE awareness programmes
The Central Bureau of Communication, a subordinate office of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, will hold Mission LiFE awareness programmes on World Environment Day, on June 5, 2023. The programmes, organized in collaboration with the ICDS Thiruvananthapuram, will commence from 10 am in the YMA Hall, Chackai Thiruvananthapuram.
The event will be presided over by Central Bureau of Communication Kerala and Lakshadweep Region Additional Director General, Shri V. Palanichamy IIS, while Smt. N. Maya, Director of Culture Department, Govt of Kerala will inaugurate it.
Environment Programme Manager, Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Dr. John C. Mathew, and Project Scientist, Dr. Suvarnadevi, from the Kerala University Aquatic Biology and Fisheries Department, will lead sessions on “Plastic management” and “water conservation” respectively.
More than 200 saplings will be distributed during the programme, which will also include environmental quiz competitions, puppet show by song and drama troupe, and prize distribution.
The Mission LiFE initiative was launched by the central government in 2022 to promote eco-friendly lifestyles as an India-led global mass movement that encourages individual and collective action to protect the environment.
The event aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting the environment by adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle.
-NS-
(Visitor Counter : 63
Ministry of Defence
VICE ADMIRAL AB SINGH, FOC-in-C Western Naval Command, CALLS ON PRESIDENT
: Mumbai, Spetember 9, 2022
Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, accompanied by Mrs Charu Singh, heading NWWA  called on the Hon'ble President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi on Thursday .
The FOC-in-C briefed the President of India on Indian Navy’s operations to enhance overall maritime security, especially in the Western Indian Ocean Region. He also briefed the President on Indian Navy’s initiatives towards complete Aatmanirbharta by India@100.
Vice Adm AB Singh is honorary Aide-de-Corps to the President of India.
PIB Headquarters
Yavatmal District leads in Maharashtra for Home-made Mask Making
More than one crore face masks prepared by Self Help Groups across the country
Mumbai: 30 April 2020
More than one crore face masks have been made by various Self-Help Groups across the country. It shows relentless effort, positive energy and united resolve of SHGs to fight Covid-19 under DAY-NULM flagship scheme of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
At the core of this proud moment is a strong face of women entrepreneurs supported by the Mission. Their resilience is motivating others to multiply the efforts with more energy and determination. It is women empowerment safeguarding lives in true sense.
Yavatmal District leads for Home-made Mask Making
At present to stop spread of Corona Virus, use of mask by all citizens is best of option. Keeping this in mind, Women Self Help Group of Umed from Yavatmal District came forward to make masks at home for use of citizens and within a month, made over 5 lakh home-made masks. Total 2466 women from 1422 ‘Umed’ SHGs spread across 16 tehsils of Yavatmal District worked hard in this people’s movement and making the District leading one in Maharashtra. As a part of Social Responsibility, out of 5,15,775 Masks made by these SHG about 57,403 were distributed free of cost to elderly, Divyang and needy people. Over 3 lakh were distributed to Grampanchayats on no profit basis while rest of masks were sold to earn revenue over 16 lakh.
Some Quotes from the SHG women:
Ms. Shubhangi Chandrakant Dhaygude, President, Samrudhhi Area Level Federation  has a distinct smile on her face that symbolizes satisfaction and pride. She collects orders through phone and stitches masks at her home in Titwala, Maharashtra. She says that they have made 50000 masks and 45 more women are involved in making masks with her.
Ms. Meenu Jha, member of Savarni SHG in Kota, Rajasthan says that even she did not imagine that this small step can be so inspiring for others. These lines of Ms. Meenu Jha reiterate the fact that all of us have unique capability of contributing in this fight even during lockdown.
Gamocha, the traditional cloth and symbol of respect in Assam has today become a symbol of health, safety and hygiene. Ms. Rashmi from Nagaon, member of Runjhun SHG is busy preparing masks using this traditional cloth.
Ms. Updesh Andotra, member Prayas Self Help Group in Kathua, J&K feels proud while making the tricolour masks.
RT/PM
(Visitor Counter : 230
Special Service and Features
BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS CONDUCTED A DAY-LONG WORKSHOP AT VELLORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY , CHENNAI TODAY
Bureau of Indian Standards, the National Standards Body of India is a statutory body functioning under the aegis of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India. It operates various schemes like Product Certification , Management Systems Certification, Hall Marking of Gold and Silver Jewellery/Artefacts and Laboratory Services for the benefit of the industry and in turn aiming at consumer protection.
As a part of its Educational Outreach programme, Bureau of Indian Standards  signed an MoU with Vellore Institute of Technology , Chennai on 04th August 2023. In continuation of this MoU, Bureau of Indian Standards, Chennai Branch Office organized a day-long workshop at Vellore Institute of Technology , Chennai Today, 28th September 2023 for the faculties of the college.
Through this MoU, BIS aims at expanding the folds of Standardization ecosystems to the academic institutions and its faculties through their participation in Standardization activity through Technical Committees of the Bureau at National & International level, by undertaking R&D Projects related to standardization and conformity assessment, by developing infrastructure support for R&D Projects of relevance to standardization at the institutions, by introducing topics on standardization in academic syllabus, by organizing training and short-term education programmes on Standardization, etc.
A team of BIS Officers Shri. A R Unnikrishnan, Scientist-F & Senior Director , Smt. G Bhavani, Scientist-E/Director, Shri. K Vijayaveeran, Scientist-E & Director , Shri. Sudhanshu Rai, Scientist-D & Joint Director , Ms. M Nagavarshini Scientist-B , Smt. Anurita Nidhi Hemron, Scientist-B have participated in the event and conducted the workshop.
The workshop include the aspects on Overview of BIS & Standardization ecosystem in the country; Formulating a standard with products from Civil, Electrical / Electronics, Mechanical, Metallurgy, Chemical / Food; Role of research projects in standards formulation; digital initiatives of BIS; Road map for the implementation of MoU etc., Dr K Annamalai, Dean, School of Mechanical Engineering and around 70 other professors and faculties across different disciplines of Vellore Institute of Technology , Chennai attended the programme.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India’s Relief measures bring comfort to the people
Chandigarh, May 01, 2020
The Government of India announced Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package to help the poor to cope up during and after the lockdown induced by COVID-19 . As part of this, free food grains and cash payment have been provided to women, poor senior citizens and farmers. Pawan Kumar, a farmer from Solan District in Himachal Pradesh said that he is under PM-KISAN and received Rs 2000 in his account. He thanked the Government of India for providing assistance during these difficult times. Jit Ram Bhardwaj in Himachal Pradesh expressed his gratitude to the central government as he receives free rations under the PM Garib Kalyan Yojna. Neetu from Haryana while expressing satisfaction said she has received Rs 500 in her Jan Dhan account.
  
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1256112725622534149?s=09 
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1256170385621626881 
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1255827575739486209?s=09 
While the relief package ensures that the poor do not left behind in fight against COVID-19, the women in district Hoshiarpur of Punjab too are contributing in their own way as they leave their homes daily to work in factory which produces DRDO India approved masks.
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1256105326559899648?s=09 
As harvesting season underway in states like Haryana and Punjab, farmers at the grain markets of these states can be seen cleaning and packing their produce. Consolidated revised guidelines on 15th April and subsequent additions by the Government of India have allowed resumption of selected activities, except in containment zones in hotspot districts. As book shops have also reopened, Rahul Goyal, a Panjab University student, said he was trying to get books as exams will be conducted when university reopens.Management of allowed industrial units are taking necessary actions as per the directives of the Government like availability of thermal scanner, sanitizers, etc.

https://twitter.com/PIBShimla/status/1256086691758043136?s=09 
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1254719934405410827 
https://twitter.com/PIBShimla/status/1255454192237531137?s=09
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts search operations in Madhya Pradesh
The Income Tax Department initiated search and seizure operations on two major business groups of Indore on 25.11.2021. The first group is engaged in the business of mining, media and providing cable TV services and the second group is running a coaching academy. The search action has covered more than 70 premises in Madhya Pradesh and 5 other states.
During the course of search action, various incriminating documentary and digital evidence including parallel set of financial records of some of the businesses have been found and seized. A preliminary analysis of these evidences show evasion of taxable income by adopting various malpractices, particularly suppression of sales in mining business. Similar large-scale tax evasion has been found in the business of cable TV service. Evidences of other malpractices such as payment of on-money, suspected benami transactions, unaccounted expenditure incurred in cash, undisclosed investment in immovable properties, etc. have also been found.
Investigations have revealed that the group has also taken accommodation entries in the form of bogus unsecured loans exceeding Rs. 40 crore from various shell companies managed by entry operators. The main entry operator, the key handler, and several dummy directors of the shell companies have been identified, traced and covered during the search operation. The dummy directors and key handler have admitted that the companies are merely paper entities, and they are working at the behest of the main entry operator.
Documentary evidence found and seized from the search operation of the coaching group clearly shows suppression of cash receipts from students which is in excess of Rs. 25 crore. The analysis of seized evidence also indicates that this group is systematically suppressing its royalty receipts and profit share income from its various franchisees. Unaccounted cash exceeding Rs. 10 crore has been received on such accounts. The search operations have resulted in the seizure of unaccounted cash of Rs. 2 crore.
Further investigations are under progress.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
MyGov launches Planetarium Innovation Challenge for Indian start-ups and tech entrepreneurs
Registration open till 10th October, 2021
First and Second winners to get cash prizes of Rs.5 Lakh& Rs.3 lakh respectively
MyGov India, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology , has launched the Planetarium Innovation Challenge for Indian start-ups and tech entrepreneurs last week.The challenge aims to bring together the tech firms and Start-ups  with the potential to build an indigenous planetariums system software using latest technologies including Augmented Reality , Virtual Reality  and Merged Reality .
Inspired by the Chandrayaan launches,Indian Space Research Organization conducted the ISRO Quiz competition 2019 in collaboration with MyGov whereseveral schools, parents and enthusiastic mentors made it memorable through their active participation.Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was accompanied by the Quiz winners from across the country to watch Chandrayaan 2 lunar landing live from the ISRO control room. ‘We will succeed, no one can stop India’, said PM to ISRO scientists, inspiring space enthusiasts all across the nation.
Looking forward to a repeat of the ISRO Quiz, Planetarium Innovation Challenge was launched by MyGov Indiaon 11th September 2021. Registration is open till 10th October 2021 .
The challenge invites applications from start-ups and tech entrepreneurs to develop state-of-the-art technology for our Planetariums. There is an opportunity forPlanetariums in India to deploynew technologies , especially for smaller cities and rural areas, all Made in India.
The Innovation Challenge is open to experts from all domains of Planetarium Technology athttps://innovateindia.mygov.in/. The applicants may include Start-ups, Indian Legal Entities;even Individuals  are welcome to submit ideas.
The application will be evaluated on different parameters including Approach towards problem-solving, Product Idea, Degree of Innovation, Novelty of Approach. The participants will be evaluated by a Grand Jury based on parameters including Innovation, Replicability, Scalability, Usability, and Ease of deployment/roll-out and potential risks involved in implementation of the solution.
The first winner, second winner and third winner under the contest will get the cash prizes of Rs.5 lakh, Rs.3 lakh and Rs.2 lakh respectively. In addition to that the winners and participants will get the opportunity to meet peers in the field and get to know the latest advancement in the Ecosystem.A high viewership platform will provide them the opportunity to showcase/ promote their Innovation to Leaders from organizations across Indian Industry Sectors
The Planetarium Challenge perfectly aligns with the objective of the nation’s progressive digital transformation under the larger umbrella of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
RKJ/M
(Visitor Counter : 2000
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Long-Term, Time-Bound, National Level Strategy to Tackle Air Pollution-National Clean Air Programme 
To Achieve 20% to 30% Reduction in Particulate Matter Concentrations by 2024
The Central Government launched National Clean Air Programme  as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner with targets to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in Particulate Matter concentrations by 2024 keeping 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration. Under NCAP, 122 non-attainment cities have been identified across the country based on the Air Quality data from 2014-2018. A list of Smart Cities under the Smart Cities Mission, which are non-attainment cities under National Clean Air Program , is attached at Annexure-I.
The city specific action plans have been prepared which, inter-alia, include measures for strengthening the monitoring network, reducing vehicular/industrial emissions, increasing public awareness etc. Implementation of the city specific action plans are regularly monitored by Committees at Central and State level namely Steering Committee, Monitoring Committee and Implementation Committee.
Air quality of cities is monitored by State Pollution Control Boards which publishes their results from time to time. Some Smart Cities have established Integrated Command and Control Centres  which are also connected to Air Quality Monitors  for effective monitoring.
This was informed by Minister of State  for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways to RFID Tag all wagons by December 2022
So far 23000 wagons have been covered under RFID project
Indian Railways is on a mission to RFID Tag all wagons by December 2022.
The Indian Railways will complete this process of fitting radio-frequency identification tags  in all the wagons by December 2022. These tags will be used for tracking all wagons.
So far 23000 wagons have been covered under RFID project. The Project is still in progress and continuing, although this work has been slowed for some time due to pandemic Covid 19. Government has fixed the deadline for fitting of RFID in all the wagons of Indian Railway till December 2022.
Currently, Indian Railway is maintained such data manually, which leaves scope for errors. Using RFID devices will be easier for the railways to know the exact position of all the wagons, locomotives and coaches.
While the RFID tag will be fitted in the rolling stock, trackside readers will be installed at stations and key points along the tracks to read the tag from a distance of about two meters and transmit the wagon identity over a network to a central computer. In this way, each moving wagon can be identified and its movement tracked.
With the introduction of RFID, the issue of shortage of wagons, locomotives and coaches is expected to be addressed in a more transparent and expeditious manner.
Ministry of Home Affairs
PASSING OUT PARADE OF IPS PROBATIONERS AT NPA ON AUGUST 24, 2019
SHRI AMIT SHAH TO TAKE SALUTE AT DIKSHANT PARADE
Union Minister of Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah will be the chief guest at the passing out parade of the 70th batch of IPS probationers, to be held at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel National Police Academy  Hyderabad on August 24, 2019.
Announcing this at a press conference here today, the Director of NPA, Shri Abhay said Shri Amit Shah would take the salute at the Dikshant Parade. Shri Abhay said that the batch of 92 probationers includes 12 lady probationers. Three probationers from this batch have been allotted Telangana Cadre. Of the 11 foreign officers in the batch, six officers are from Royal Bhutan Police and 5 from Nepal Police, he said.
Shri Gaush Alam , of Telangana cadre, has been adjudged the best all round probationer. He would receive the Prime Minister’s Baton and Home Minister’s Revolver. Ms Richa Tomar of Rajasthan cadre has been adjudged the Best All round Lady Probationer.
Shri Abhay further said that the Dikshant Parade is the culmination of rigorous training. It comprises 42 weeks of basic training followed by district practical training in respective cadres for 28 weeks and 13 week Phase -2 training at the academy.
He said the toppers of the batch, who hail from modest backgrounds have overcome challenges successfully and reached new heights.
Deputy Director of NPA, Shri Nikhil Gupta introduced the probationers. Several officials of NPA were also present.
President's Secretariat
President of India to lay foundation stone/inaugurate various developmental projects of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu tomorrow
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, will visit Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu on February 17-18, 2020.
On February 17, 2020, the President will lay the foundation stone/inaugurate various developmental projects of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu in Daman. On the same day, he will also inaugurate the Jampore Sea Front Road from Moti Daman Jetty to Jampore Beach and an Ayushman Bharat Wellness Centre in Daman.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister conferred with the Order of the Nile
In a special ceremony at the Presidency in Cairo on 25 June 2023, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, conferred Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with the ‘Order of the Nile’, the highest civilian award of Egypt.
Prime Minister thanked President Sisi for the honor on behalf of the people of India.
Prime Minister is the first Indian to receive the award.